Farming brother handed suspended sentence after admitting animal welfare offences

Two farming brothers have been handed a 16 week prison sentence suspended for 12 months after admitting to animal welfare offences.

Wilfred Francis and Ian Martin Francis of Yr Ackery Burton Rossett pleaded guilty to a number of offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and associated regulations at Wrexham Magistrates’ Court recently.

On February 5 2019 an unannounced visit by Wrexham Council was made to the farm after receiving a complaint of a dog eating a dead calf.

On arrival at the farm officers of the Food and Farming team accompanied by an Animal & Plant Health Agency (APHA) Vet found dead cattle and calves, animals with none or insufficient bedding, some were without food and water and had access to hazardous object around the premise.

15 visits were made by council officers between February 5 2019 and May 7 2019 to access the welfare of the animals which resulted in 22 cows and their dependants being seized on May 13, 2019 when their body condition hadn’t improved or had decreased over a month of monitoring.

Becky Pomeroy Food & Farming Lead at Wrexham Council said: “Our animal health officer’s work alongside farmers to ensure that they comply with the various regulations and for the last six months have tried to work alongside Wilfred and Ian Francis to improve the welfare of their animals.

“We’re pleased to see that the Magistrates’ Court have recognised the significance of the offences.”